Actions of Azerbaijani Armed Forces Become More Dangerous for Residents: Ombudsman

The Ombudsman of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, stated on his Facebook page: "According to our fact-finding efforts, as a result of the fires set by Azerbaijani soldiers, from August 29 to the present, in the villages of Azat, Kut, Norabak, and Sotk in the Gegharkunik region of Armenia, the following areas have burned: 1) In Kut, 150 hectares of pastures and 60 hectares of hayfields, 2) In Azat, 20 hectares of pastures and 10 hectares of hayfields, 3) In Sotk, 80 hectares of pastures and 70 hectares of hayfields, 4) In Norabak, 20 hectares of pastures and 10 hectares of hayfields. In total, about 270 hectares of pastures and approximately 150 hectares of hayfields have burned in all four villages. The grass that people carefully preserved for the winter is also being destroyed. For example, the stock of one resident from the village of Kut, which amounts to about 500 bales of hay, has been destroyed.

In addition, a group of residents from Kut village have reported to the Ombudsman that they have suffered significant material damage due to the burning of hayfields and harvested hay, as well as the harvesting machine of one of the residents. The fires set by Azerbaijani servicemen have not yet been extinguished in the Gegharkunik region, and the weather conditions further facilitate the spread of the fires. They are in such elevated areas that residents, along with firefighters, are forced to extinguish the flames by hand, while Azerbaijani military personnel create new fire spots.

All these reports have been verified by the regional division of the Ombudsman in Gegharkunik, supported by objective evidence. We are in constant contact with local authorities, residents, and relevant services of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Due to the criminal actions of Azerbaijani servicemen, people have been deprived of their source of livelihood, which will contribute to an increase in social problems. There are mass violations of residents' rights, which amounts to acts of diversion and terrorism against the civilian population of Armenia. The fires pose a real threat to the lives of civilians and their entire property (the village of Kut is the closest to the fires).

The facts of the actions of the Azerbaijani armed forces against the civilian population of Armenia indicate that they are becoming increasingly dangerous for civilians, are criminal in nature, and have the direct intent to harm people, while the violations of rights are of a mass nature."